The Green Economy and Nature Based Solutions
Estimates suggest that nature-based solutions (NbS) can provide 37% of the mitigation needed until 2030 to achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement. Nature-based solutions offer a way of addressing the climate and biodiversity crises in a synergistic and cost-effective manner.
NbS mean more decent jobs.
2010 report commissioned by Environment Canada compares the jobs impact of stimulus funding for grey infrastructure—for example, pipes and arenas and roads—with the impact of ecological restoration and stewardship. Bottom line, for every million dollars spent, grey infrastructure work creates three new jobs where ecological restoration and stewardship work creates twenty-two jobs!
Nature Based Solutions
ERVCC uses the term Nature Based Solutions (NbS) with caution. In some contexts NbS’s lead to greenwashing. See for example Indigenous Environmental Network paper on NbS . Post COP15 and COP 28 however biodiversity loss and climate change are seen as a linked crises that must be addressed together and with careful definitions, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be central to a just transition.The focus needs to be on decent work and green jobs.
NbS must follow best practices.
We must also phase out use of fossil fuels and not allow NbS as an offset for ongoing emissions;
We must protect, restore and connect a wide range of ecosystems across working landscapes. We must restore nature for natures sake.
Place the rights and knowledge of local communities and Indigenous Peoples front and centre of policy and practice; and Explicitly design NbS so that they support biodiversity. Benefits must also aim to be equally distributed. NbS’s must be rights-based, inclusive, and encourage participatory design and implementation
This linked article focuses on NbS in the context of cities.